Biden government’s invitation to Taiwan to attend a meeting of democracies, runs counter to long-standing initiatives by Beijing to diplomatically isolate the island and is a test for the recent easing of tensions between the United States and China.
The inaugural Democracy Summit, a virtual event scheduled for December 9-10, aims to bring together more than 100 countries with democratic governments, minus China, Russia and other authoritarian states. By inviting Taiwan, the Biden administration is strengthening its action aimed at including the island in international bodies and appearing as a shield against pressure from Beijing, which is claiming this territory.
The intensification of relations between the two countries provokes the condemnation of Beijing. Even though Chinese security experts say Washington’s invitation does not break with past practices, it risks angering Chinese leaders.
In a virtual summit meeting earlier this month, President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping discussed their differences over Taiwan, but decided to go beyond and tackle other issues, in particular human rights to security, to calm tensions between the two powers.
As part of this climate change, the United States and China have announced an agreement to work together on the global energy transition. This week, the Biden administration said it would tap into strategic reserves to unlock oil and thereby reduce high fuel prices. She said Beijing would do the same.
During their virtual meeting, Xi warned Biden against the temptation to divide the world into different ideological camps, saying such an attitude would resurface the perils of the Cold War.
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Taiwan’s invitation to the Democracy Summit and Mr Biden’s recent remarks on a possible diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics to be held in Beijing in February could disturb this atmosphere of cooperation.
During their virtual meeting, Xi warned Biden against the temptation to divide the world into different ideological camps, saying that such an attitude would resurface the perils of the Cold War, according to the meeting’s summary drawn up. by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This institution’s spokesman, Zhao Lijian, said on Wednesday that China was opposed to the invitation to the summit on democracy and called on the United States to stop providing a forum for what it sees as forces. in favor of the independence of Taiwan. “If you play with fire concerning the independence of Taiwan, you will end up burning yourself,” he warned during a press briefing in Beijing.
Biden administration official says democracy summit was not raised during Biden-Xi dialogue and US line does not rule out US being in competition or at odds with China on some issues, while cooperating on climate change and other global issues.
“Our policy towards China has been consistent from day one,” the official continued. These events are happening simultaneously. It is a complex dynamic with multiple aspects. “
Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia program at the German Marshall Fund, points out that Taiwan’s participation does not set a precedent for the treatment of that country. She noted in particular that Taipei was a member of the global coalition set up to defeat the Islamic State group.
“It is likely that China will react one way or another, but it will not lead to a major setback in relations”
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It is also likely that the Biden administration avoided crossing a red line set by Beijing by limiting the Taiwanese presence to officials of secondary rank, Ms. Glaser said. While many heads of government will attend the event, Taiwan will be represented by its de facto ambassador to Washington, Bi-Khim Hsiao, and by Minister of Digital Audrey Tang, the Taiwanese foreign ministry said.
“It’s likely that China will react one way or another, but that won’t lead to a major setback in relations,” says Glaser. Taiwan will not be mentioned as a country, its president will not take part in the discussions. “
In recent years, Washington has sought to support Taiwan, increasing contacts between senior officials and keeping its arms sales high. Military cooperation has been strengthened, in particular with the deployment of a small contingent of American soldiers on the island to train their Taiwanese counterparts.
These measures worried Beijing. The Communist Party leadership has promised to conquer Taiwan by force if necessary to complete the country’s reunification. For decades, China forced governments to choose between recognizing the country or recognizing Taipei, thereby isolating Taiwan and excluding it from international organizations like the World Health Organization.
Last month, when China celebrated the 50e Anniversary of its recognition by the United Nations as the legal government of China, Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement presenting Taiwan as “a democratic achievement” and calling for broad support for its “robust and meaningful participation in the the whole of the United Nations system and in the international community ”.
Taiwan’s participation at the top of democracies is supposed to highlight its vibrant democracy and respect for human rights, Taiwanese and US officials say.
“We believe that Taiwan can make meaningful commitments to the summit’s goals, namely to oppose authoritarianism, fight corruption and advance respect for human rights at home and abroad. », Concludes the head of administration.
Chao Deng contributed to the writing of this article.
Translated from the original English version.
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